WAICU President Eric W. Fulcomer

Policymakers, business leaders, and families regularly ask an important question: How can we make higher education more affordable? At Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges and universities, affordability is driven by the mission to provide strong student support throughout their academic journey, maximize value through robust financial aid and faster time to degree, and student-centered support that delivers strong outcomes. 

Much of the public conversation focuses on published tuition prices, yet those figures rarely reflect what students actually pay. Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges invest hundreds of millions of dollars annually in institutional scholarships and grants, funded through endowments, alumni philanthropy, and institutional resources. Combined with federal Pell Grants and the Wisconsin Grant, these investments significantly reduce the net cost of attendance and expand access for students from every economic background. 

Affordability is also measured in time. Our institutions are intentionally designed to help students graduate on schedule, often in four years or less. Small class sizes, faculty whose primary focus is teaching, individualized advising, and comprehensive student support reduce barriers to completion and improve student outcomes. Graduating on time allows students to enter the workforce sooner, reduce educational debt, and begin contributing to Wisconsin’s economy more quickly. That is one of the most effective affordability strategies available. 

Another key to shortening time to degree completion is found in dual credit and early college programs that let high school students earn credits at a lower cost. Paired with transfer-friendly policies and articulation agreements with technical colleges, these programs prevent lost momentum while saving money. For adult learners and veterans, prior learning assessments recognize real-world experience, accelerating time to completion.  

Equally important is the value students receive from their education. Wisconsin’s private colleges consistently produce graduates who are prepared to lead in high-demand fields including health care, education, business, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technology. Strong employer partnerships, career services, experiential learning opportunities, and engaged alumni networks ensure that students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and professional connections needed to thrive. The return on investment extends beyond individual graduates to the employers, communities, and industries that depend upon a highly educated workforce. 

Affordability also requires institutions to be responsible stewards of every dollar entrusted to them. While much attention is given to financial aid, controlling operating costs is equally important. As highlighted in this issue, WAICU’s collaborative purchasing initiatives allow member institutions to leverage their collective purchasing power to reduce expenses for technology, employee benefits, insurance, legal services, and dozens of other operational needs. Since these programs began, member institutions have realized more than $314 million in savings, including $14 million in 2025 alone. Those savings are not simply reflected on institutional balance sheets; they are reinvested in financial aid, student support services, academic innovation, and initiatives that help keep college within reach for Wisconsin families. 

Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges educate nearly 53,000 students annually and contribute an estimated $5.4 billion to the state’s economy. They are essential partners in addressing Wisconsin’s workforce needs and strengthening communities across the state. 

Maintaining that impact requires continued partnership with policymakers. At the federal level, fully funding the Pell Grant program and preserving Federal Work-Study and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants remain essential to student access. Closer to home, strengthening the Wisconsin Grant must become a shared priority. Despite the importance of need-based financial aid in securing tomorrow’s workforce, Wisconsin ranks at the bottom of the Great Lakes states in state support for students attending private, nonprofit institutions. Improving that investment would expand educational opportunity while helping employers meet growing workforce demands. 

Affordability is not achieved through a single policy or funding source. It is built through sustained institutional commitment, operational innovation, and thoughtful public policy. Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit colleges are demonstrating every day that these strategies work. WAICU looks forward to continuing our partnership with state and federal leaders to ensure that every qualified student has access to a high-quality, affordable education and that Wisconsin’s economy continues to benefit from the talent our institutions produce.